H. William DeWeese
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| H. William DeWeese | |
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135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House
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| In office 2007 – present |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. O'Donnell (D) |
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| Succeeded by | Matthew J. Ryan (R) |
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| Born | April 18, 1950 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Holly Kinser (ex) |
| Profession | Politician |
H. William DeWeese (born April 18, 1950) is the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. DeWeese served as 135th Speaker of House (1993-1994). Democrats lost control of the lower chamber when a Democrat switched to Republican within days of winning re-election.
He is the Speaker-designate following a Democratic takeover in the 2006 election. However, the result may be challenged by the Republican Party, leaving his status uncertain at this time.
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[edit] Background
DeWeese was born April 18, 1950, in Pittsburgh and raised in rural Greene County. After earning a B.A., History at Wake Forest University, he joined the United States Marine Corps 1972-1975.
[edit] State House
After leaving the Marines, DeWeese was elected to the Pennsylvania House in a 1976 special election and has served the 50th district (all of Greene and parts of Fayette and Washington Counties) since.
DeWeese's ascent through the echelons of House Democratic leadership began when he was elected by his colleagues as Majority Whip in 1988. Upon the death of Speaker of the House James J. Manderino, DeWeese was elected House Majority Leader in January 1990, serving in that position until he was elected Speaker of the House for the 1993-94 term. He has been House Minority Leader since 1995 when Republicans took over the majority when a Democrat switched parties within days of winning re-election.
[edit] 2005 Legislative Pay Raise
Rep. DeWeese supported a legislative and judicial pay raise in 2005. After criticism from the media and activist groups, DeWeese joined his colleagues in a near unanimous repeal of the pay raise.
DeWeese reorganized the Democratic Caucus following the vote. Members who voted in favor of the pay raise were promoted to those positions; while those who voted against lost such positions as a result of their opposition. Republicans and a small number of fellow Democrats, including Governor Ed Rendell, criticized DeWeese's move; but he stood by his decision, explaining that those who opposed the pay-raise legislation knew the realignment would be a consequence. [1]
Despite the defeats of several legislative leaders in the wake of the pay scandal, DeWeese fought off a 2006 primary election challenge by a comfortable margin. He was elected for an additional term in office on November 7, 2006 and also was elected by his colleagues to continue as the Democratic Leader.
[edit] Speech
DeWeese is well known for his idiosyncratic style of speaking and writing, which incorporates an extensive vocabulary, anachronistic usages, and attenuated metaphors. For instance, a 2002 letter by DeWeese to lobbyist Stephen Wojdak regarding Wojdak's hiring of DeWeese's ex-wife, Holly Kinser, began with the following paragraph:
Let's cut to the chase ... you sir, are a liar. The measure of the person in our enterprise is his word. When a man comes to my Capitol Hill enclave and stands beneath that impressive chandelier of gold, looks me in the eye with a gimlet gaze, shakes my hand with a sturdy grip and gives me his word, to me it's axiomatic that the gentleman is telling the truth. You are an abject, ignoble, mendacious knave! [2]
While some take DeWeese's use of language as evidence of his high level of intellect, others complain that his prose is frequently mangled. Others find his linguistic choices pompous. In a 2002 interview with the Allentown Morning Call, DeWeese said regarding his metaphors: "My intelligence is in the middle range, but my enthusiasm is above average."
